It seems like the college football season just started, but here we are at the final week of regular-season action. Week 14 also means that it’s rivalry week, so there’s a feast of ranked match-ups to satisfy even the most demanding college fan. Starting off the day is a Big Ten showdown between No. 13 Michigan and No. 1 Ohio State. Later on, No. 5 Alabama will try to beat No. 15 Auburn without Tua Tagovailoa while No. 14 Oregon has a match-up with a rising Oregon State team. Finally, there’s the annual Oklahoma-Oklahoma State Bedlam game over in the Big XII.
So let’s talk about the games, leave questions on prospects, and enjoy the weekend!
Keep your eyes on
EDGE Hamilcar Rashed Jr. (Oregon State)
Rashed somehow ranks second in the nation in sacks with 14, thanks to his consistent performances throughout the season. He’s only had three of games where he didn’t have a single sack. This week against Oregon, he’ll need to bring his A-game, because the Ducks have a physical, pound-you-into-the-dirt offensive line and the junior pass rusher is only 236 lbs. Seeing him stand up to power tackles would greatly improve scouts’ evaluation of him.
Other prospects to watch
DT Leki Fotu (Utah)
A recent Senior Bowl invitee, Fotu is a 6’6”, 335-lb mammoth defensive tackle who has lived up to his massive athletic potential this season despite missing a handful of games. The big man should be able to feast against Colorado, as the Buffaloes’ offensive line is built to zone block and move quickly. Fotu should have no trouble attempting to bull rush the interior lineman right into quarterback Steven Montez, hopefully adding to his sack total of only a single quarterback takedown.
OT Alex Leatherwood (Alabama)
A 6’6”, 310 lb offensive tackle who can move like the junior, while carrying a significant amount of power in his actions is a rare sight. That makes this week’s showdown against Auburn’s Marlon Davidson a must-see match-up. Davidson is a flexible rusher who’s just as likely to bend around the edge as he is bull rush you with his 278-lb frame. A lockdown performance from Leatherwood would go a long way in helping cement his status among the top draft-eligible tackles this season.
WR Charleston Rambo (Oklahoma)
Fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb sucks up a lot of the attention on the opposite side of the field, but Rambo’s production this season is undeniable. Just a sophomore, Rambo is a smaller receiver when compared to Lamb, but he showcases more explosive traits before and after the catch. The Bedlam game is always a high-scoring affair, which means that Rambo will get plenty of chances to prove he should be just as highly thought of as his fellow Sooners teammate.
CB Shaun Wade (Ohio State)
Ohio State’s secondary is absolutely loaded this season and much of their success is tied to how they can rush the passer while locking down receivers on the back end. With Jeff Okudah earning a reputation as the best cornerback in the draft, Michigan is likely to test Wade on the other side of the field. The Wolverines also sport a pack of physically imposing receivers who are tough to control, so the 6’1” Wade will need to use his physicality and length in order to avoid getting bullied by the receivers across from him.
Game of the Week
No. 7 Oklahoma at No. 21 Oklahoma State
8:00 PM EST
FOX
The Red River Showdown/Shootout/Rivalry never fails in its ability to become one of the most entertaining games in college, and this year promises to be no different. Both teams are just as offense-heavy as usual, with Oklahoma receivers Rambo and CeeDee Lamb as higher-end draft picks, while the Cowboys have the most productive running back in college in Chubba Hubbard. Chasing Hubbard all day will be Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray, a player likely to be one of the first drafted at his position next April.